Fighter rep: Chael Sonnen plans to appeal failed UFC 117 drug test

Chael Sonnen will appeal a one-year suspension and $2,500 fine issued by the California State Athletic Commission for a failed drug test in the wake of his submission loss to Anderson Silva at UFC 117.

Roberts did, however, refer MMAjunkie.com to a statement issued to MMAFighting.com that further detailed the Sonnen camp’s initial response to the CSAC ruling, which was delivered this past Friday after the 33-year-old middleweight tested positive for abnormally elevated levels of testosterone.

“It is our policy not to comment on pending actions by the athletic commission,” Roberts stated. “Chael is consulting with his legal [advisers] and physicians and will have a statement in the near future. Chael will file an appeal with the CSAC and looks forward to working with the commission to resolve this matter.”

CSAC Executive Director George Dodd on Monday told MMAjunkie.com that Sonnen has 30 days from the day he received the notice to appeal his suspension and fine. Should he choose not to contest the ruling, he will be suspended until Sept. 2, 2011, and will face a $2,500 fine.

According to Dodd, Sonnen was flagged first on Sept. 2 after an initial test revealed the presence of a performance-enhancer. A second, more-rigorous test conducted at the UCLA’s Olympic Analytical Laboratory confirmed the results. The laboratory is used by the U.S. Olympic Committee and is the world’s largest World Anti-Doping Agency-certified facility.

Sonnen can have his appeal heard as early as Dec. 2, when the CSAC holds its next meeting in Sacramento, Calif. Dodd stressed that time is of the essence should a planned rematch between Sonnen and Silva take place next year during Super Bowl weekend.

“We always say you want to make [the appeal] at the next commission meeting (from the notice),” Dodd said. “The next [meeting] after that probably won’t be until the following year, and from what I understand, he has a rematch with Anderson Silva possibly in February. He’ll probably be maintaining the suspension unless he gets on the agenda next time.”

Sonnen delivered a nearly note-perfect performance at UFC 117 and dominated Silva for four-plus rounds before falling prey to a Hail Mary triangle choke from the champion in the final moments of the fifth and final round. After much speculation as to both fighters’ next move, Sonnen was earmarked for a rematch in early 2011.

The fighter has yet to break his silence since news of the suspension broke.